Is Al-Qassam a Hamas group? Who is the leader of this group?
Introduction
The Al-Qassam Brigades, officially known as the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, are indeed the military wing of Hamas. Established in 1991, this armed group primarily operates in the Gaza Strip and has been at the forefront of armed resistance against Israel.
Structure and Leadership
The Brigades are named after Izz ad-Din al-Qassam, a Syrian preacher who led armed resistance against British and Zionist forces in Palestine during the 1930s. The current leader of the Al-Qassam Brigades is Mohammed Deif, a figure shrouded in mystery due to his elusive nature and multiple reported assassination attempts. Their is an arrest warrant from ICC but Israeli claim he wad killed in a warfare.
Operations and Objectives
The Al-Qassam Brigades are responsible for various military operations and attacks against Israeli targets. Their activities include:
Rocket and mortar attacks on Israeli territory
Suicide bombings (particularly during the Second Intifada)
Kidnappings of Israeli soldiers and civilians
Tunnel warfare and infiltration attempts
While the Brigades operate under Hamas’s broader political objectives, they maintain a degree of operational independence. This allows them to conduct military operations that may sometimes diverge from Hamas’s official political stance.
Capabilities and Strategy
The Al-Qassam Brigades have developed significant military capabilities over the years. They have:
A diverse arsenal of locally produced rockets and mortars
An extensive network of underground tunnels used for both defensive and offensive purposes
Trained fighters skilled in guerrilla warfare tactics
Their strategy often involves asymmetric warfare, leveraging their knowledge of local terrain and urban environments to counter Israel’s technological and military superiority.
Conclusion
It’s important to note that while the Al-Qassam Brigades are considered a legitimate resistance movement by some, they are designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States and the European Union.
